Harry Styles sends message to fans at Co-op Live arena opening

Pop superstar Harry Styles is one of the named investors on the huge new £365mn Co-op Live Arena in Manchester.

And with the arena hosting its welcoming ceremony on Saturday night, fans were eager to see what he would have to say about his investment.

Fans had been speculating if Harry would appear in person at the opening event, which allowed the public inside the vast new entertainment venue for the first time at the weekend.

READ MORE: Ricky Hatton and Claire Sweeney among stars out at Co-op Live Arena launch in Manchester

But, instead, he sent a video message of support that was played out to invited guests and the media on Saturday afternoon.

In the video, Harry spoke of his pride in creating "one of the best arenas in the world".

And the video was later played again on the main stage amid cheers from revellers. It was played out ahead of the headline performance of Rick Astley on Saturday night, with other performers including Danny Jones from McFly, The KTNA, and Everything Everything.

In the video Harry is seen seated in a brown chair and is wearing a blue shirt. He said: "Hi everyone, I'm Harry. I think that the people of Manchester deserve one of the best arenas in the world and I can’t wait for you to see it."

The new Co-op Live is a collaboration between Oak View Group (OVG), City Football Group (CFG), Harry Styles, and Co-op and will have a maximum capacity for 23,500.

In further videos at the opening event, CEO of the Oak View Group Tim Leiweke was seen walking through the bar areas at the venue and he said how closely Harry had been involved in the design of them.

He joked that Harry was keeping on him toes - as he had a very clear vision of how he wanted the bar areas to look and feel for fans.

Only partial areas of the arena were opened up on Saturday for the "test event". When fully open next week, there will be some 32 bars and restaurants for guests to try.

It will host around 120 events a year, with acts including Take That, Olivia Rodrigo, Nicki Minaj and the Eagles already confirmed for its opening season.

The landmark entertainment venue is also aiming to be net carbon neutral by 2038, with almost 90,000 sqm of solar panels, and no food waste.